Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.http://www.salvilaw.com
Chicago Personal Injury LawyerSun, 02 Aug 2015 20:13:32 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3Five Facts About Illinois Boating Laws And Teenshttp://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/five-facts-about-illinois-boating-laws-and-teens/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/five-facts-about-illinois-boating-laws-and-teens/#commentsWed, 29 Jul 2015 16:00:32 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17473As a parent who enjoys boating on Lake Michigan, the Chain O’Lakes or other Illinois waters, you want to pass on your love of this activity to your son or daughter. As you do, make sure both you and your...

]]>As a parent who enjoys boating on Lake Michigan, the Chain O’Lakes or other Illinois waters, you want to pass on your love of this activity to your son or daughter.

As you do, make sure both you and your child comply with Illinois boating regulations. After all, these laws are ultimately aimed at preventing tragic boating accidents. They are meant to protect you, your child and others on the lake.

In particular, here are five important things you should know about young boaters and Illinois law:

If requirements are met, children can operate motor boats in Illinois.

However, children ages 10 to 18 can operate a motor boat (or a boat with over 10 horse power) as long as certain requirements are met. Those requirements are:

Children at least age 10, less than age 12 – The child may operate the boat only if the child is accompanied by and under the direct control of a parent, guardian or a person age 18 or older who has been designated by the parent or guardian.

Children at least age 12, less than age 18 – The child may operate the boat if the above parent/guardian/designee requirement is met or if the child has a Boating Safety Certificate issued by:

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

Another state or Canadian province

S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

S. Power Squadron.

The child must carry this certificate with him or her aboard the boat at all times. If the child is pulled over by an Illinois Conservation Police officer and does not have the certificate, the child can be charged with a petty offense.

If a parent or guardian knowingly allows a child to violate this law, the parent or guardian could be charged with a petty offense as well.

A major change in Illinois boating law will be in effect by next summer.

A new law takes effect on January 1, 2016, which will have a major impact on boating in Illinois during next summer’s boating season.

Under the law, no person born on or after January 1, 1998, can operate a boat over 10 horse power unless he or she has a valid Boating Safety Certificate issued by the IDNR or by “an entity or organization recognized and approved” by the IDNR.

For child boaters, the law will require:

Children at least age 10, less than age 12 – The child must be “under the direct on-board supervision” of a parent, guardian or designee who is age 18 or older and has a valid Boating Safety Certificate.

Teens at least age 12, less than age 18 – The teen may operate the boat if the above requirement is met or if the child has a valid Boating Safety Certificate.

Additionally, anyone renting a boat must receive “abbreviated operating and safety instruction covering core boat safety rules” unless he or she has a safety certificate.

You can take a Illinois boating safety class in-person or online.

In addition to the legal requirement, it simply makes good sense to have your child go through a boating safety class and earn his or her Boating Safety Certificate.

As the IDNR explains, the course involves a minimum of eight hours of instruction and covers a variety of important topics, including safety, equipment, navigation, registration and titling of a boat, emergency steps and Illinois boating laws.

A child can take the class:

In-person – The course may last a day or be strung out over a series of days (typically on weekends). You can go here for a list of classes by county or call (800) 832-2599 for more information.

Online – The course can be taken at a pace that fits the child’s schedule. Two online providers are Boat-Ed.com and com.

Regardless of whether the class is taken in-person or online, the child must pass a final exam in order to receive a certificate.

Allowing a child to drink on a boat is illegal.

It’s important to note that another new law makes it illegal for any parent or guardian to give alcohol to minors on private property, including a boat. If a parent or guardian violates this law, they face a $2,500 fine and could go to jail for as long as one year.

If a violation of Illinois boating law results in injury or death to another person, it could result in liability in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit for the parent.

In addition to facing criminal penalties, a parent who allows a child to operate a motor boat in violation of Illinois boating laws could face liability if the child causes an accident that results in the injury or death of another person.

As the most recent annual statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) indicate, age and lack of experience can be significant factors in boating crashes. The USCG reports that 18 deaths and 193 injuries occurred in 2014 among boat operators age 18 or younger. Among boat operators with under 10 hours of experience, there were 69 deaths and 310 injuries.

A parent’s liability in a boating accident involving a child boat operator could be based on many different theories, including:

Negligence per se – Liability is based on the fact that the parent violated a law that exists to protect other boaters, swimmers, anglers and others enjoying Illinois lakes, such as laws that require a child to have proper supervision or training to operate a boat. The parent’s negligence is established by the mere violation of the law.

Negligent entrustment – Liability is based on the fact that the parent allowed a boat to be operated by a child who lacked the competency to do so. Allowing a child to operate a boat without the supervision or certification mandated by Illinois law would be an example of negligent entrustment.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident in Illinois that was caused by a child boat operator, make sure to protect your legal rights by contacting the attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. We can provide a free, immediate consultation.

]]>http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/five-facts-about-illinois-boating-laws-and-teens/feed/0Food Recalls Have Nearly Doubled Since 2002http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/food-recalls-have-nearly-doubled-since-2002/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/food-recalls-have-nearly-doubled-since-2002/#commentsTue, 28 Jul 2015 19:36:16 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17497What do Whole Foods Market raw macadamia nuts, Wish-Bone ranch dressing and H-E-B hamburger and hot dog buns all have in common? These three food items were all recalled this summer. As the website foodsafety.gov reports, the reasons for the...

]]>What do Whole Foods Market raw macadamia nuts, Wish-Bone ranch dressing and H-E-B hamburger and hot dog buns all have in common? These three food items were all recalled this summer.

As the website foodsafety.gov reports, the reasons for the recalls vary. In these instances, the nuts were recalled for salmonella, the ranch dressing for undeclared egg, and the buns for foreign material. These items are just some examples of U.S. food products recalled each week. A recent report by Swiss Re found that the number of food recalls in the United States has nearly doubled since 2002.

According to Food Safety News, the report stated that the increasing number of recalls can be explained by a combination of regulatory changes and the advent of an increasingly globalized food supply chain. This means more opportunities for problems to be created and caught.

At the same time, the portion of the U.S. population which is sensitive to pathogenic contamination and allergenic ingredients in food is growing, making the prospect of selling risky food even shakier. The population as a whole is aging and people seem to be diagnosed with food allergies at higher rates.

The Food and Drug Administration say the number one reason food is recalled is because it is mislabeled. This was the fact in a case our firm handled. One of our clients, a 10-year-old girl ate Target brand Archer Farms Chocolate Hazelnut Swirl gelato. The girl was allergic to peanuts, which was not listed on the container. Shortly after eating, the girl became sick, had hard time breathing and had to be hospitalized. As WGN News reports, the gelato supplier blamed the labeling mistake on cross- contamination at the manufacturing plant in Italy.

Recalls can happen for other reasons too. A series of ice cream recalls that happened earlier this year were traced back to dirty equipment and unsanitary conditions. This includes careless actions like employees not washing hands or changing gloves. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported three people died and ten became ill from bacteria believed to have come from Blue Bell ice cream products. As CNN reported the company’s Oklahoma plant tested positive for listeria, a bacteria the can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly and others with weak immune systems. Inspectors found the company’s process for sanitizing equipment was inadequate as the plant failed to monitor the temperature of water used to clean equipment.

If you have been seriously injured after eating a recalled or mislabeled food product, contact our law firm for a free consultation. The attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard can discuss how you may get compensation for your injuries and losses. You can also schedule a review of your case through our online form.

]]>http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/food-recalls-have-nearly-doubled-since-2002/feed/0Matthew L. Williams New Managing Partner for Lake County officehttp://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/matthew-l-williams-new-managing-partner-for-lake-county-office/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/matthew-l-williams-new-managing-partner-for-lake-county-office/#commentsThu, 23 Jul 2015 20:30:28 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17439Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew L. Williams to managing partner of its Lake County office located in Waukegan, IL. Mr. Williams has practiced with the firm since 2003 and was named a...

]]>Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew L. Williams to managing partner of its Lake County office located in Waukegan, IL. Mr. Williams has practiced with the firm since 2003 and was named a partner in 2009. Mr. Williams will run the office’s day-to-day operations and oversee the long-term planning for the office that Patrick A. Salvi started in 1982. Read full story here.

]]>http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/matthew-l-williams-new-managing-partner-for-lake-county-office/feed/0Bellwether Trials Scheduled for Xareltohttp://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/bellwether-trials-scheduled-for-xarelto/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/bellwether-trials-scheduled-for-xarelto/#commentsWed, 15 Jul 2015 16:07:01 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17413A series of four bellwether trials in the federal multi-district litigation for Xarelto are set to begin in August 2016. Over the past several months, all product liability complaints involving the blood thinning medication have been consolidated before U.S. District...

]]>A series of four bellwether trials in the federal multi-district litigation for Xarelto are set to begin in August 2016.

Over the past several months, all product liability complaints involving the blood thinning medication have been consolidated before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Judge Fallon has called for the selection of 50 plaintiffs to be included in the bellwether trials for the Xarelto Multi-District Litigation (MDL), according to a minute entry document from June 22, 2015.

The first Bellwether Trials scheduled for Xarelto is scheduled to begin on August 1, 2016, followed by the second trial on August 22, 2016, a third trial on September 12, 2016, and the fourth trial on October 17, 2016. The court suggested the first two trials would take place in the Eastern District of Louisiana, the third trial would take place in the Southern District of Texas, and the fourth trial would take place in the Southern District of Mississippi.

What is a Bellwether Trial?

The term bellwether is derived from the ancient practice of belling a wether (a male sheep) selected to lead his flock. The ultimate success of the wether selected to wear the bell was determined by whether the flock had confidence that the wether would not lead them astray, and so it is in the mass tort context, according to “Bellwether Trials in Multidistrict Litigation.”

Bellwether by definition is a person or thing that shows the existence of direction of a trend; index.

Courts use bellwether trials when a large number of plaintiffs are proceeding on the same theory or claim and there is no way to handle to the massive caseload.

In Bellwether trials, a group of plaintiffs are chosen to represent all the plaintiffs. According to USLegal.com, the issues for trial should concern common claims or theories among all the plaintiffs.

In the lawsuits pending in the Xarelto MDL, all involve similar allegations that Bayer and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen subsidiary failed to adequately warn consumers about the potential bleeding risks with Xarelto.

The representative cases go to trial and the results act as the bellwether for the other plaintiffs’ trials. The trials allow attorneys on both sides to predict how future court cases will go.

Currently, there are at least 552 bleeding lawsuit pending in the Xarelto MDL.

If you have any questions on your Xarelto case or the legal process with your Xarelto case, please contact our lawyers at 1-800-Salvi-Law or Xareltoaid.com.

]]>http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/bellwether-trials-scheduled-for-xarelto/feed/0PATRICK SALVI II NAMED AAJ MOST OUTSTANDING YOUNG TRIAL LAWYERhttp://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/patrick-salvi-ii-named-aaj-most-outstanding-young-trial-lawyer/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/patrick-salvi-ii-named-aaj-most-outstanding-young-trial-lawyer/#commentsTue, 14 Jul 2015 17:41:34 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17510Patrick Salvi II, a partner in our Chicago office, received the prestigious F. Scott Baldwin Most Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer Award by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) during a reception dinner at the AAJ annual convention in Montreal, Canada...

]]>Patrick Salvi II, a partner in our Chicago office, received the prestigious F. Scott Baldwin Most Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer Award by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) during a reception dinner at the AAJ annual convention in Montreal, Canada on July 11, 2015.

The F. Scott Baldwin Award is given to a lawyer who has made a significant contribution to the New Lawyers Division of the AAJ and has attained one or more outstanding trial verdicts. It was established to honor and recognize F. Scott Baldwin of Marshall, Texas, a world-renowned trial lawyer, whose efforts have produced outstanding damage awards for injured victims and their families. The F. Scott Baldwin Award is presented in recognition of the legendary degree of excellence and compassion that Scott Baldwin has brought to the profession and the significant time he has invested in training, preparing and encouraging lawyers of the profession of trial law.

Mr. Salvi was recognized primarily for having secured verdicts in a nine month period of $1.2 million (Pope County record), $2 million, and $17.9 million.

The AAJ is committed to advocating for the civil justice system, whether that means taking on powerful corporate interests, opposing unconstitutional attacks on the civil justice system or fighting harmful legislation that limits Americans’ access to the courts. The AAJ is committed to strengthening the civil justice system to ensure deserving individuals can get justice and wrongdoers are held accountable. All Americans benefit when individuals have a fair chance to get justice through our civil justice system. AAJ’s commitment to justice ensures that every person is on a level playing field in the courtroom and able to hold wrongdoers accountable.

]]>Partner Patrick A. Salvi II was awarded the F. Scott Baldwin Award presented to the “Most Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer” at the American Association for Justice’s 2015 Convention in Montreal Canada. Mr. Salvi was recognized primarily for having secured three multi-million dollar verdicts in a nine month period. Read Full Story Here.

]]>http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/partner-patrick-a-salvi-ii-was-awarded-the-f-scott-baldwin-award/feed/0Teen Boating Safety For Summerhttp://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/teen-boating-safety-for-summer/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/teen-boating-safety-for-summer/#commentsWed, 08 Jul 2015 18:12:37 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17397Some of our fondest memories are of teaching our children how to sail, canoe or operate a motorboat. We hope they will take the safety lessons we have taught them and apply them whenever they go out on their own....

Some of our fondest memories are of teaching our children how to sail, canoe or operate a motorboat. We hope they will take the safety lessons we have taught them and apply them whenever they go out on their own. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Numerous safety publications warn of the “100 deadliest days of summer” in reference to teen-driver car accidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Less attention is given to teenagers and boating safety during the summer.

However, boating accident numbers spike in the summer as well. These accidents can involve teen boaters on Lake Michigan or other waters around Chicago such as the Chain O’ Lakes.

In order to ensure our teens stay safe and avoid accidents, we need to constantly reinforce those safety lessons we have taught them – especially with summer boating season here.

Out of that number, the following occurred in the summer months of June, July and August:

53 boating accidents (69 percent of the total)

Involving 69 vessels (70 percent)

Causing 38 injuries (70 percent) and 12 deaths (60 percent).

The counties with the highest accident numbers were Cook and Lake counties:

As you can see, serious and potentially fatal boating accidents can and do happen during the summer months in the Chicago area. This is why it is a good time to do a safety check with your teen.

Avoid These Boating Mistakes and Dangers

As you can see in the video below, law enforcement officers who patrol the waters around Chicago and throughout Illinois look for certain teen boating safety violations:

These are the boating mistakes and dangers you need to speak with your teen about avoiding this summer. You should tell your teen to never:

Mix drinking and boating – In addition to it being illegal for a minor (under age 21) to drink in Illinois, drinking alcohol can also lead to careless and reckless boating. Alcohol use was the leading cause of boating accidents in 2014 (leading to 10 injuries and six deaths), according to DNR. It is also important to stress that other boating-related activities can be dangerous when a person is impaired, including waterskiing or riding a Sea-Doo (personal watercraft).

Fail to bring (and wear) personal flotation devices (PFDs) – Illinois law requires that a boat be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs, with the number depending on the vessel’s size and number of people on board. Tell your teen to make sure each PFD is in good shape and can be grabbed in a hurry. Any child under age 13 must wear a PFD at all times on most boats. PFDs prevent drowning, the leading cause of death among Illinois boaters.

Speed – A teen operating a motorized boat must be sure to pay attention to the shifting speed zones they encounter. Those speed zones are meant to protect not only others in the area but the boaters themselves. Staying at a safe speed prevents collisions with other vessels, fixed objects and swimmers. It also prevents crashes caused by speeding into shallow water.

Allow too many passengers – As pointed out in the video above, it is hazardous when a boat is packed with people who are standing. An operator can’t see ahead or behind. Limit your teen’s passengers (depending on the boat size) and instill the importance of focusing on boating and not being distracted by others.

Fail to have proper safety equipment – In addition to PFDs, a boat should be equipped with a working horn, lights and fire extinguishers as well as flares or another type of visual distress signal.

By discussing these points, you can keep your teen from harming himself or herself and from harming others. It is important to realize that a person’s negligent operation of a boat can lead to liability for a victim’s medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other damages.

Know Your Teen Boating Safety Laws and Regulations in Illinois

The summer boating season may also be a good time to have your teen review Illinois boating laws and regulations and / or taking a boating safety course.

In fact, in Illinois, the law requires any operator of a motorized boat or personal watercraft (PWC) who is under age 18 to complete a boating safety course. The teen also has to carry this card with him or her when operating a boat or PWC.

If you have not taken your boat out yet this summer, you may also want to review this spring commissioning checklist from the BoatU.S., a national recreational boating association. Going through the checklist can help to ensure your boat is ready for the water.

Illinois Boating Safety Checklist

The following is our own Safety Checklist to help your teen (and you) to stay safe this summer. It is based on advice from the U.S. Coast Guard. Tell your teen to ask the following questions before, during and after his or her time on the water:

Did you complete a boating safety course so you have a complete understanding of how to operate the boat and navigate the water?

If required, are you carrying your Boater Safety Education card?

Is your boat in good condition and equipped with proper safety gear, including a fire extinguisher and flares (in case of an emergency)?

Do you have the required number of U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs (and are you wearing them)?

Do you have too many passengers on board?

Have you planned where you are going and when you will return?

Did you file a “float plan” with a responsible adult on shore?

Have you checked the weather forecast, and do you have a way to keep up with changing conditions while you are on the water?

Are you sober, well-rested and not allowing any distractions to interfere with your operation of the boat?

Are you paying attention to speed zones?

Did you report any negligent or reckless boaters to the proper officials?

Get Help from an Attorney If You Are in Boating Accident in Illinois

Unfortunately, even the safest boater can be the victim of another person’s careless or reckless conduct on the water. If you or your teen is hurt by another boater this summer in the Chicago area or elsewhere in Illinois, you can protect your legal rights by contacting Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C.

We have extensive experience with these unique types of accidents. We can review your case and advise you of your options in a free consultation. Simply call or reach us online today.

]]>http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/teen-boating-safety-for-summer/feed/0Preventing Deadly and Costly Hospital Errorshttp://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/preventing-deadly-and-costly-hospital-errors/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/preventing-deadly-and-costly-hospital-errors/#commentsMon, 06 Jul 2015 09:00:48 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17374Medical malpractice cases are meant to protect victims and patients and ensure responsible and safe standard of medical care. While medical malpractice incidents cannot always be prevented, there are a few steps patients can do to make sure they are...

]]>Medical malpractice cases are meant to protect victims and patients and ensure responsible and safe standard of medical care. While medical malpractice incidents cannot always be prevented, there are a few steps patients can do to make sure they are getting the best care possible.

Recently, a Fox News article outlined seven ways to prevent hospital errors, meaning, as a patient or future patient, you can supply yourself with information and take an active role in your healthcare that will help your mind rest at ease knowing the people in charge of your health are doing it right. Visiting and staying at the hospital is scary enough for patients and their families.

Here are a few helpful tips that you can do:

Check hospital ratings and infection rates.

Staying safe begins before you’re admitted, although it may not be possible in an emergency. Nevertheless, check Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Score for facilities in your area, which grades hospitals from A to F based on both preventive efforts and safety outcomes. Once you’ve found a highly rated hospital, remember to check whether it is covered within your health insurance network.

Know who is coordinating your care.

During a hospital stay, nurses, doctors, and technicians will be in and out of your room providing various aspects of your care. Knowing who’s in charge makes it easier for questions or when something isn’t right. Find out in advance if your primary doctor will be directing your care, or if a hospitalist will be in charge. In the scrum of medical providers you see, this could be the most important point of contact.

Bring someone with you.

Advocating for your own safety isn’t always possible, as patients in the hospital are often not physically or mentally able to participate in their care. A friend or family member can act on your behalf to ensure your best interests as a patient.

Don’t be afraid to ask health care workers to wash their hands.

At any given time, an estimated 1 in 25 hospital patients have hospital-acquired infections. These are illnesses they didn’t arrive with— such things as pneumonia, stomach viruses, urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections. Simple hand washing can go a long way in preventing these infections, and the extended stays and health complications they bring. As such, it’s completely appropriate to ask health care workers to wash their hands when they enter your room.

Ask questions, and when you don’t understand the answer, ask again.

It’s not unusual to be baffled when a doctor or nurse explains your condition, how your procedure went or the medication you’re getting. Anytime you are confused about your care, ask. If the answer is full of medical jargon or doesn’t explain things well, ask your doctor to simplify the response as much as possible.

Bring all of your medications along (including supplements).

Adverse drug events affect an estimated 5% of hospital patients, and about half of these events are preventable. Make sure your doctor(s) know about your medications, including supplements. Rather than just making a list, bring them along or take photos of each bottle to ensure accuracy and prevent potentially dangerous interactions.

Ask for your discharge plan in writing, and make sure you understand it before leaving.

Before you leave the hospital, someone will go over your discharge with you— setting any follow-up appointments, explaining your medications and touching on any self-care and treatment you should be following at home. Ask for all of these instructions in writing, and make sure you get a point of contact— someone to call if you have any questions once you leave.

Medical Malpractice Often is Direct Result of Preventable Errors

While being a proactive patient can help keep you healthy during your hospital visit, it is the primary responsibility of the hospital and staff to keep you safe. And as some of the data from MedMalFacts.com shows, nearly 98,000 people die each year as a result of entirely preventable medical errors.

While some patients are injured or die in the course of care despite doctors utilizing best practices, most medical malpractice incidents are a direct result of preventable errors. The worst examples of easily preventable errors are wrong-site surgeries, which some studies claim occur at least 40 times each week in American hospitals. Despite the staggering amount of patients injured by wrong-site surgeries, only one-third result in a lawsuit.

One recent example of a medical malpractice incident involves a woman who needed her hand amputated after a broken finger wasn’t treated properly. As reported in an Associated Press story, this clinical negligence resulted in the indictment of seven former nurses treating the woman at Vineland Developmental Center in New Jersey. The nurses wrapped the woman’s damaged finger so tightly it developed gangrene and needed to be removed.

On average, 97 percent of medical negligence claims have merit. MedMalFacts.com states researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health examined over 1,400 closed medical negligence claims and found that 97 percent were meritorious. Of those 1,400 claims, 80 percent involved death or serious injury. The study concluded that “portraits of a malpractice system that is stricken with frivolous litigation are overblown.”

Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you or a loved one has been a victim of what you believe is medical malpractice by a doctor or hospital, call the attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. today at 877-975-7991, or visit www.salvilaw.com. Receive a free case review and consultation to assess your options as a victim.

]]>http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/preventing-deadly-and-costly-hospital-errors/feed/0Surefire Safety Against Fourth of July Fireworks Accidentshttp://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/surefire-safety-against-fourth-of-july-fireworks-accidents/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/surefire-safety-against-fourth-of-july-fireworks-accidents/#commentsThu, 02 Jul 2015 19:22:37 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17380A time of year that brings out grills, coolers, lawn chairs, and red, white, and blue décor is one we all cherish – Fourth of July. As we celebrate the beautiful sunny days of summer (if we’re afforded such weather!)...

]]>A time of year that brings out grills, coolers, lawn chairs, and red, white, and blue décor is one we all cherish – Fourth of July. As we celebrate the beautiful sunny days of summer (if we’re afforded such weather!) and our nation’s birthday, staples of these festive times bring joy to the holiday. One such staple fills our minds and mouths with “ooooh’s” and “aaaah’s” at home and at shows around Chicago: awe-inspiring fireworks.

Although we enjoy staring up in wonder of these animated starry shows, reminding ourselves of the safety involved of these combustion hazards. Burns, fallout, and faulty work can cause serious injury and, in some extreme cases, death. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 230 people on average go to the emergency room every day around the month of July due to fireworks-related injuries. Not to dismiss the fun related to our Independence Day celebration, but to thrust accountability and responsibility into our minds as we venture into the Fourth’s weekend.

Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

Light fireworks one at a time, and then move back quickly.

Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Cases for Firework Safety

Here are a few accidents in recent years demonstrating the harm that can be done to fireworks observers and firers:

Virginia accident: $4.75 million verdict in Vienna, Virginia, to a woman who suffered injuries and financial damage from a salute shell exploding next to her while her 3-year-old son sat in her lap. The woman had severe burns to her head, face, arms, and torso, but also large shrapnel wounds caused brain injury from a concussion wave. Her son spent three days in a coma, and sustained burns and severe brain injury.

Nebraska accident: A teenager from Nebraska suffered permanent disabling and disfiguring injuries from a professional-grade firework exploded in his face in 2013 after a friend lit it. Medical expenses topped $264,000, and were expected to grow at the time of the article.

Illinois accident: In Homewood, Illinois, a teenager is ready to undergo his second corneal transplant at the end of the summer in hopes to regaining vision in his right eye, a result from a 2012 fireworks injury – a delayed firework shot into the teen’s eye.

If you or someone you know has been injured because of a fireworks accident, contact our personal injury lawyers today. Call 1-800-Salvi-Law now for a free consultation and to see how we might be able to help.

]]>http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/surefire-safety-against-fourth-of-july-fireworks-accidents/feed/0MATTHEW WILLIAMS PROMOTED TO MANAGING PARTNER OF LAKE COUNTY OFFICEhttp://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/matthew-williams-promoted-to-managing-partner-of-lake-county-office/
http://www.salvilaw.com/blog/2015/07/matthew-williams-promoted-to-managing-partner-of-lake-county-office/#commentsWed, 01 Jul 2015 17:44:43 +0000http://www.salvilaw.com/?p=17512In July, Patrick Salvi, the founder and Managing Equity Partner of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, announced the promotion of attorney Matthew Williams to Managing Partner of the firm’s Lake County office. Mr. Williams will take over for David Pritchard who is now serving as Of...

]]>In July, Patrick Salvi, the founder and Managing Equity Partner of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, announced the promotion of attorney Matthew Williams to Managing Partner of the firm’s Lake County office. Mr. Williams will take over for David Pritchard who is now serving as Of Counsel to the firm, and as a mentor to the firm’s attorneys.

Mr. Williams was hired by Mr. Salvi in January 2003 as an associate, and later promoted to partner in 2009. Since that time, he has successfully represented hundreds of the firm’s clients in complex medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injury cases, and has achieved record-breaking results. As managing partner, Mr. Williams will continue to represent clients, and will also be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Lake County office, including its long-term planning.

“I’ve known Matt a very long time and he is a perfect choice to lead my landmark (Waukegan) office,” said Patrick Salvi. “Clearly he’s proven to be an exceptional lawyer and victim’s rights advocate, but he’s also very well respected by his legal peers (both sides of the aisle), his clients, and our wonderful Lake County staff. I am extremely confident Matt will not only maintain the reputation we have built in Lake County over the past 30-plus years, but will lead the effort to strengthen and improve what we consider to already be the premier law firm in Lake County.”

While a member of many local and national bar associations including Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association, Mr. Williams is equally as proud of his volunteer work. He currently sits on the board of directors of Raising a Reader Lake County—a program delivering guidance and opportunity for families to provide their children with books, library familiarity, and ultimately greater life chances.

He is also Vice-President of The Michael Matters Foundation, an organization dedicated to increasing public awareness about Glioblastoma Brain Tumors, and raising funds to provide financial assistance to area individuals and their family members who suffer from the impacts of brain cancer.

Born and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Mr. Williams currently resides in Evanston with his wife and three children. He can be reached at 847-249-1227 or by e-mail at mwilliams@salvilaw.com. Please join us in congratulating him!